Vacuum cleaner suction nozzle



May 8, 1962 E. ANDERSON VACUUM CLEANER SUCTION NOZZLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed March 5. 1958 INVENTOR (Emi Qnoerson HIS ATTORNEY May 8, 1962 E.ANDERSON VACUUM CLEANER SUCTION NOZZLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5,1958 INVENTOR 6m a? Andaman HIS ATTORAIEY May 8, 1962 E. ANDERSON3,032,800

VACUUM CLEANER SUCTION NOZZLE Filed. March 5, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 J 42O INVENTOR.

@ 6m? Hnderson HIS ATTORNEY 4 May 8, 1962 E. ANDERSON VACUUM CLEANERSUCTION NOZZLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 5. 1958 INVENTOR dmifinder-son fxw. [M

H15 ATTORNEY 3,032,800 VACUUM CLEANER SUCTION NOZZLE Emil Anderson,Ossining, N.Y., assignor to Electrolux Corporation, Old Greenwich,Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 5, 1958, Ser. No. 719,404 19Claims. (Cl. 15-371) My invention relates to suction nozzles for vacuumcleaners and more particularly to rug nozzles provided with surfaceagitating means such as flexible bristles for aiding in dislodging dirtfrom the rug.

In accordance with my invention the bristles are mounted in the interiorof the hollow nozzle body with their ends disposed substantially in theplane of the suction opening. The bristles are arranged so as to encloseone or more spaces and means are provided for admitting air to suchspace or spaces through a path other than that provided by the inletopening. With this arrangement, when suction is applied to the interiorof the nozzle body, a substantial portion of the air passes into thebody by flowing through the space or spaces bounded by the bristles. Oneadvantage of this is that the air flowing in this manner tends tomaintain the bristles clean and prevents the accumulation thereon ofdirt which is dislodged from the rug.

In accordance with one embodiment of my invention the bristles arearranged in a plurality of circular groups, while in accordance withanother embodiment parallel rows of bristles bound an elongated spacewithin the nozzle body.

If desired the bristles, either in circular groups or straight rows, maybe mounted in a fixed position within the nozzle, or they may be mountedon a resiliently supported member which tends to urge them towards thesuction opening, but which permits them to move inwardly as a result ofcontact with the rug.

Also, the bristles may be mounted on a rotor which is preferablyprovided with valve means so that atmospheric air may enter only thosespaces bounded by the bristles which at any moment extend downwardlyinto contact with the rug.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from thefollowing description when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings which form part of this specification and of which;

FIG. 1 is a top view of a nozzle in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a nozzle embodying another form of my invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5--.5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a nozzle embodying still another form of myinvention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7; a

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a nozzle embodying a still further form of myinvention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 1212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a different type of flexiblebristles which may replace the brush bristles shown in certain of thepreceding figures;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of one of the eletent 3,032,800Patented May 8, 1962 ments shown in FIG. 13 in flat form beforeassembly; and

FIG. 15 is an end view of the element shown in FIG. 14.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3,reference character 10 designates generally a hollow nozzle body formedwith an elongated suction opening 12. Secured to the upper part of thebody 10 is a conduit member 14 to which is pivotally connected an elbow16 by means of which the interior of the body 10 may be connected to asource of suction by means of a suitable conduit, preferably including aflexible hose.

The top wall of the nozzle body 10 is formed with a plurality ofopenings or ports 18, the upper ends of which communicate with theatmosphere. The lower end of each port or opening 18 communicates with aspace formed within a circular group of bristles 20, the severalcircular groups being suitably secured to the lower surface of the topwall of the nozzle body. The length of the bristles is such that theirlower ends are disposed substantially in the plane of the suctionopening 12.

In operation, when the elbow 16 is connected to a source of suction areduced pressure is caused to exist within the nozzle body. This resultsin air flowing into the nozzle through the opening 12, such air passingthrough the pile of the rug in order to find its way underneath the lipswhich bound the suction opening 12. This air serves to remove dust anddirt from within the pile of the rug. However, a substantial volume ofair also flows into the nozzle through the several ports 18. This airpasses through the spaces bounded by the circular groups of bristles andflows into the hollow nozzle body between the individual bristles makingup these groups. As the nozzle is moved back and forth over the rug, thebristles remove dirt from the rug and this has a tendency to adhere tothe bristles. However, the flow of air outwardly between the bristlesserves to continuously remove this dirt, which is carried by the airstream out of the nozzle through the elbow 16.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 6 similar parts aredesignated by like reference characters. Secured to the lower part ofthe conduit member 14 is a shaft 22 which carries a pair of wheels 24which serve to make it easier to move the nozzle back and forth over arug.

Disposed lengthwise within the nozzle above the elongated suctionopening 12 is a movable member 26 which is spaced from all of the nozzlewalls except the end walls. Opposite ends of this member are receivedwithin pockets 28 formed in the ends of the nozzle body. A screw 30 isthreaded into each end of the member 26 and extends upwardly through anopening in the top of the nozzle. A spring 32 surrounds each of thesepins and is compressed between the top surface of the member 26 and thetop of the nozzle, the springs thus tending to urge the member 26downwardly so as to hold the heads of the screws 30 against the uppersurface of the nozzle body. The distance the springs may force themember 26 downwardly may be adjusted by turning the screws further intoor out of the member 26.

A plurality of circular groups of bristles 34 are carried by the lowersurface of the member 26 and have their lower ends disposed within orslightly below the plane of the opening 12 when the member 26 is in itslowermost position. Short tubes 36 extend through the member 26, thelower end of each tube communicating with the space bounded by acircular group of bristles. The top wall of the nozzle body 10 is formedwith a plurality of ports 38 and a short piece of flexible tubing 40 isconnected around the upper end of each tube 36 and bears against theinner surface of the nozzle body around each port 38.

Thus, as the nozzle is moved back and forth over a rug, the springs 32hold the bristles 34 down in contact with the rug, but permit them tomove vertically as a result of this contact, whereby the bristles mayaccommodate themselves to rugs of different thickness. Such movement ofthe member 26 is permitted by virtue of the flexible connection providedby the short pieces of tubing 40'. The application of suction to theinterior of the nozzle body causes the air to fiow inwardly through theports 38 and the tubes 40 and 36 to the spaces bounded by the bristles,and as was described in connection with the first embodiment, this tendsto maintain the bristles clean. The air passing between the bristles mayflow either directly towards the outlet conduit 14, or it may flow overthe top of member 26 and between the several pieces of tubing 40.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 9, the nozzle body isnot only provided with small wheels 24 at the rear, but in addition isprovided with a plurality of rollers 42 in the front. Fixed within thenozzle body and extending parallel to the suction opening 12 is an upperchannel member 44 opening in a downward direction. Slidably mountedwithin the opening of upper channel member 44 is a lower channel member46 which has an upwardly directed opening, the two channel membersconstituting a hollow structure which is spaced from all except the endwalls of the nozzle. A spring member 48 resiliently urges the lowerchannel member 46 downwardly, the extent of the downward movement beingadjustable by set screws 50 at each end of the channel 46.

As will be seen more particularly in FIG. 8, the space 52 within thechannel member is connected at each end to the atmosphere throughpassages 54 formed in the nozzle body 10. Extending downwardly from theface of the lower channel 46 are parallel strips of bristles 56, thelower ends of which terminate approximately in the plane of the nozzleopening 12. These strips are retained in place by a plate 57 secured tothe channel 46 by screws 59. Lower channel member 46 and plate 57 areformed with a plurality of aligned openings 58 extending therethroughwhich establish communication between the hollow interior 52 and theelongated space bounded by the bristles 56.

In operation, the lower channel member 46 and the bristles 56 may moveup and down as the nozzle is moved back and forth over a rug in a mannersimilar to that described in connection with FIGS. 4 through 6. The lowpressure maintained with the nozzle body causes air to flow through thechannels 54 into the space 52 and thence through the openings 58 intothe space between the rows of bristles 56, from where it passes betweenthe bristles to the interior of the nozzle. The air which passes throughthe bristles in the forward row flows over the top of the hollowstructure on its way to the outlet 14.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12 a rotor, designatedgenerally by reference character 60, is mounted within the nozzle body10. The rotor includes a member 62 which has a central hub portion 64and four radially extending webs 66. The ends of the rotor are formed bycircular discs 68, each of which is provided with four openings 70theret-hrough. Extending between the discs 68 and between adjacent webs62 is a sheet metal wall member 72. Each wall member is formed with aplurality of openings around each of which is secured circular group ofbristles 76. The rotor 60 is supported within the nozzle member by meansof pins 78 at opposite ends.

The ends of the nozzle body are formed with passageways 88 whichterminate in ports 90 so arranged that they are in alignment with theopenings 70 in the discs 68 which communicate with the opposite ends ofthe space within the rotor which is in the lowermost position. Thus, thediscs 68 with the ports 70, together with the ports 90, form a rotaryvalve which establishes communication sequentially with. t e differentaxially extend- 5 ing spaces within the rotor as each space reaches thelowermost position.

The ends of the webs 62 are formed with notches 92 which may be engagedby the edge of a leaf spring 94 secured to the top of the nozzle body byrivets 95. The arrangement is such that the rotor 60 may roll on thefloor during forward movement of the nozzle, but upon rearward movementthe edge of the spring 94 will engage one of the notches 92, thusholding the roller against further rotation and in a position such thatone of the lines of groups of bristles 76 will contact the rug. This ofcourse is the line of bristles in the lowermost position and the suctionwithin the nozzle body 10 serves to draw air inwardly through thesebristles, the air passing through the passageway 88, the ports and 70 tothe lowermost space within the rotor. No air will enter the other threespaces because their ports 70 are not in alignment with the ports 90.

In operation as the nozzle is moved back and forth over the rug, therotor turns during the forward stroke of the nozzle, but is heldstationary during the rearward stroke and consequently the bristles 76brush the surface of the rug so as to dislodge dirt therefrom. At thesame time, air passes through the bristles which are in the dirtremoving position, thus tending to keep the bristles clean by removingdirt therefrom.

In the embodiments heretofore described the surface agitating means hasbeen illustrated as comprised of bristles of the usual type. However, myinvention is not limited to such bristles, and in FIGS. 13 through 15there is shown an alternative form. Here the resiliently mounted member26 of the nozzle shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, is provided with a surfaceagitating member in the form of a conical shaped flexible member 96having a plurality of fingers 98. This member may be formed from anoriginally flat sheet of material, as is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, anddue to its resilient nature may be formed into the conical shape shownin FIG. 13 by being secured between the wall a conical opening in member26 and a conical flange 100 formed at the lower end of the tube 36.Obviously, a surface agitating member of this type could be used in anyof the other embodiments and the term bristles is intended to includesuch an arrangement.

While I have shown and described several more or less specific forms ofmy invention, this has been done for the purpose of illustration onlyand the scope of my invention is not to be limited thereby, but is to bedetermined from the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, bristles within said body having their ends disposedsubstantially in the plane of said opening, said bristles bounding aspace within said body, means providing a path other than said openingfor conducting atmospheric air from outside said body to Within saidspace, said path communicating with said space at a point therein spacedfrom said ends, and means for connecting the interior of said body to asource of suction.

2. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, groups of bristles within said body having their endsdisposed substantially in the plane of said opening, each group ofbristles bounding a space within said body, means providing paths otherthan said opening for conducting atmospheric air from outside said bodyto within said spaces, said paths communicating with said spaces atpoints therein spaced from said ends, and means for connecting theinterior of said body to a source of suction.

3. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, parallel rows of bristles within said body having theirends disposed substantially in the plane of said opening, said rows ofbristles bounding a space within said body, means providing a path otherthan said opening for conducting atmospheric air from outside said bodyto within said space, said path communicating with said space at a pointtherein spaced from said ends, and means for connecting the interior ofsaid body to a source of suction.

4. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having anelongated suction opening, a supporting member within said body andspaced from a wall thereof and extending parallel to and above saidopening, parallel rows of bristles extending downwardly from said memberand having their ends disposed substantially in the plane of saidopening, said rows of bristles bounding an elongated space vvithin saidbody, means providing a path other than said opening for conductingatmospheric air from outside said body to within said space, said pathcommunicating with said space at a point therein spaced from said ends,and means for connecting the interior of said body to a source ofsuction.

5. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, a supporting member within said body above said openingand spaced from a wall of said body, bristles extending downwardly fromsaid member and having their ends disposed substantially in the plane ofsaid opening, said bristles bounding a space within said body, meansproviding a path other than said opening for conducting atmospheric airfrom outside said body to within said space, said path communicatingwith said space at a point therein spaced from said ends, and means forconnecting the interior of said body to a source of suction.

6. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, a supporting member within said body above said openingand spaced from a wall of said body, groups of bristles extendingdownwardly from said member and having their ends disposed substantiallyin the plane of said opening, each group of bristles bounding a spacewithin said body, means other than said opening providing paths forconducting atmospheric air from outside said body to within said spaces,said paths communicating with said spaces at points therein spaced fromsaid ends, and means for connecting the interior of said body to asource of suction.

7. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, a supporting member within said body above said openingand spaced from a wall of said body, means for mounting said member formovement towards and away from said opening, resilient means for urgingsaid member towards said opening, bristles extending downwardly fromsaid member and having their ends disposed substantially in the plane ofsaid opening, said bristles bounding a space within said body, meansproviding a path other than said opening for conducting atmospheric airfrom outside said body to within said space, said path communicatingwith said space at a point therein spaced from said ends, and means forconnecting the interior of said body to a source of suction.

8. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, a supporting member within said body above said openingand spaced from a Wall of said body, means for mounting said member formovement towards and away from said opening, resilient means for urgingsaid member towards said opening, groups of bristles extendingdownwardly from said member and having their ends disposed substantiallyin the plane of said opening, each group of bristles bounding a spacewithin said body, resilient conduit means for connecting each of saidspaces with the atmosphere, said conduit means communicating with saidspaces at points therein spaced from said ends and means for connectingthe interior of said body to a source of suction.

9. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, a supporting member within said body above said openingand spaced from a wall of said body, means for mounting said member formovement towards and away from said opening, resilient means for urgingsaid member towards said opening, parallel rows of bristles extendingdownwardly from said member and having their ends disposed substantiallyin the plane of said opening, said rows of bristles bounding a spacewithin said body, means providing a path other than said opening forconducting atmospheric air from outside said body to within said space,said path communicating with said space at a point therein spaced fromsaid ends, and means for connecting the interior of said body to asource of suction.

10. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having a topwall opposite a bottom suction opening, said top wall being formed witha plurality of ports open to the atmosphere, a group of bristlesdepending from said wall around each of said ports, the lower ends ofsaid bristles being disposed substantially in the plane of said opening,and means for connecting the interior of said body to a source ofsuction.

11. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having a topwall opposite a bottom suction opening, said top wall being formed witha plurality of ports open to the atmosphere, a supporting member withinsaid body above said opening and spaced below said top wall, a pluralityof passageways extending vertically through said member, a group ofbristles depending from said member around the lower end of each of saidpassageways, the lower ends of said bristles being disposedsubstantially in the plane of said openings, a plurality of tubularmembers connecting the upper ends of said passageways with said ports,and means for connecting the interior of said body to a source ofsuction.

12. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, hollow supporting structure within said body above saidopening and spaced from a wall of said body, means connecting theinterior of said structure to atmosphere at the exterior of said body,bristles extending downwardly from said member and having their endsdisposed substantially in the plane of said opening, said bristlesbounding a space within said nozzle, port means through said structurefor connecting the interior thereof with said space, said port meanscommunicating with said space at a point therein spaced from said endsand means for connecting the interior of said body to a source ofsuction.

13. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, hollow supporting structure within said body above saidopening and spaced from a wall of said body, means connecting theinterior of said structure to atmosphere at the exterior of said body,parallel rows of bristles extending downwardly from said member andhaving their ends disposed substantially in the plane of said opening,said rows of bristles bounding an elongated space within said body, portmeans through said structure for connecting the interior thereof withsaid space, said port means communicating with said space at a pointtherein spaced from said ends and means for connecting the interior ofsaid body to a source of suction.

14. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, hollow supporting structure within said body above saidopening and spaced from a wall of said body, said structure comprising afirst downwardly opening channel member fixed to said body and a secondupwardly opening channel member telescopically received within saidfirst channel member for vertical movement with respect thereto,resilient means urging said second member downwardly, means connectingthe interior of said structure at at least one end to atmosphere at theexterior of said body, bristles extending downwardly from said secondchannel member and having their ends disposed substantially in the planeof said opening, said bristles bounding a space within said nozzle, portmeans through said second channel member for connecting the interior ofsaid structure with said space, said port means communicating with saidspace at a point therein spaced from said ends and means for connectingthe interior of said body to a source of suction.

15. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, hollow supporting structure within said body above saidopening and spaced from a wall of said body, said structure comprising afirst downwardly opening channel member fixed to said body and a secondupwardly opening channel member telescopically received within saidfirst channel member for vertical movement with respect thereto,resilient means urging said second member downwardly, means connectingthe interior of said structure at at least one end to atmosphere at theexterior of said body, parallel rows of bristles extending downwardlyfrom said second channel member and having their ends disposedsubstantially in the plane of said opening, said rows of bristlesbounding an elongated space within said nozzle, port means through saidsecond channel member for connecting the interior of said structure withsaid space, said port means communicating with said space at a pointtherein spaced from said ends and means for connecting the interior ofsaid body to a source of suction.

16. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, a hollow rotor mounted in said nozzle, means forconnecting the interior of said rotor to atmosphere at the exterior ofsaid body, bristles extending radially outwardly from said rotor adistance such that their ends terminate substantially in the plane ofsaid opening when the bristles extend downwardly, said bristles boundinga space within said body, port means through said rotor for connectingthe interior thereof with said space, said port means communicating withsaid space at a point therein spaced from said ends means forinterrupting communication between said port means and the means forconnecting the interior of said rotor to the exterior of said body whensaid bristles extend in other than a generally downwardly direction, andmeans for connecting the interior of said body to a source of suction.

17. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, a hollow rotor mounted in said nozzle, means forconnecting the interior of said rotor to atmosphere at the exterior ofsaid body, bristles extending radially outwardly from said rotor adistance such that their ends terminate substantially in the plane ofsaid opening when the bristles extend downward! said bristles bounding aplurality of spaces disposed circumferentially around said roller,separate port means through said rotor for connecting the interiorthereof with the respective spaces, said port means communicating withsaid spaces at points therein spaced from said ends means forinterrupting communication between the means for connecting the interiorof said rotor to the exterior of said body and the port means connectedto spaces which extend in other than a generally downwardly direction,and means for connecting the interior of said body to a source ofsuction.

18. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, a hollow rotor mounted in said nozzle, partition meansdividing the interior of said rotor into a plurality of axiallyextending chambers, valve means operable by rotation of said rotor toconnect the chamber in the lowermost position to the atmosphere,bristles extending radially outwardly from said rotor a distance suchthat their ends terminate substantially in the plane of said openingwhen the bristles extend downwardly, said bristles bounding a pluralityof spaces disposed circumferentially around said rotor, there being atleast as many spaces as there are chambers, separate port means throughsaid rotor for connecting the respective chambers and spaces, said portmeans communicating with said spaces at points therein spaced from saidends, and means for connecting the interior of said body to a source ofsuction.

19. In a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, a hollow body having asuction opening, a hollow rotor mounted in said nozzle, partition meansdividing the interior of said rotor into a plurality of axiallyextending chambers, valve means operable by rotation of said rotor toconnect the chamber in the lowermost position to the atmosphere,bristles extending radially outwardly from said rotor a distance suchthat their ends terminate substantially in the plane of said openingwhen the bristles extend downwardly, said bristles being arranged ingroups, each group bounding a space, and the groups being disposed inaxially extending lines equal in number to said chambers, separate portmeans through said rotor for connecting the respective chambers and thespaces in each line, said port means communicating with said spaces atpoints therein spaced from said ends, and means for connecting theinterior of said body to a source of suction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,085,700 Kitto June 29, 1937 2,128,525 Dyer Aug. 30, 1938 2,153,457Fechtenburg Apr. 4, 1939 2,502,612 Woock Apr. 4, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS4,079 Great Britain Feb. 17, 1913

